California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that the California Department of Justice (DOJ) has reached an enforceable agreement with the City of Torrance and the Torrance Police Department (TPD) to implement a series of reforms aimed at improving accountability and community trust. The agreement follows a comprehensive independent review by DOJ, which began after TPD’s former Chief requested assistance in response to revelations of bigoted text messages exchanged among department officers.
The DOJ’s review identified several areas needing improvement within TPD, including systems for standards, supervision, oversight, accountability, addressing bias in policing, use of force policies, community engagement, employment practices, and organizational health. As part of the new five-year plan overseen by an independent monitor, TPD will expand its data collection efforts to identify trends in policing practices and ensure regular analysis for ongoing improvement. The department will also improve staffing and training for Internal Affairs functions and set clearer expectations for supervisors.
Attorney General Rob Bonta said: “Today’s enforceable agreement is an important step toward improving Torrance Police Department’s practices and policies and strengthening trust between its officers and the community they serve. While my office is no stranger to investigating and addressing systemic deficiencies within law enforcement agencies — and we do not take lightly the concerning circumstances that led to this independent review — TPD is a rare agency to proactively seek a review of its policies and practices. I am optimistic that TPD’s cooperation throughout this process, and its commitment to reform, will lead to real results that will allow it to better protect the safety of the community it serves and support the well-being of its personnel. We hope that other agencies take TPD’s lead and use this report as a guide and impetus for their own reform efforts.”
Interim Police Chief Robert Dunn stated: “Today is a significant day that will lead to a better future for the Torrance Police Department and the community we serve. We look forward to working together with the DOJ to implement the agreed-upon reforms, which will significantly improve our Department, through better policies and practices, modern technology to track performance, and enhanced transparency. The message to our employees, elected leaders, and the community is clear: The Torrance Police Department has a zero-tolerance policy for hate and discrimination and is committed to constitutional policing. We will diligently work to implement these reforms while fulfilling our mission to keep our community safe and secure.”
Torrance Mayor George K. Chen added: “My colleagues and I on the City Council are united in our support of the collaborative reform announced today between the City, our Police Department, and the Department of Justice. We offer our full support of the collaborative efforts between the State and the City, which will lead to a better future for our Police Department, the City of Torrance[,]and all those who live[,] work or visit here. Change does not happen overnight[,]and requires [the] support of personnel [and] budget; we are committed to working together with [the] DOJ[, ]to improve our Police Department[,]and create a better future for [the] City of Torrance.”
In August 2021,[ ]two former TPD officers were charged by Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office with felony vandalism after allegedly spray painting a swastika on an impounded vehicle in January 2020.[ ]This investigation uncovered over a dozen officers had exchanged racist,[ ]homophobic,[ ]and antisemitic messages.[ ]The subsequent request from then-Chief Jeremiah Hart led DOJ[ ]to initiate its review into potential systemic failures at TPD.
Under[ ]the new plan,[ ]TPD must enhance internal affairs procedures,[ ]revise supervisor standards,[ ]implement improved training protocols—especially regarding use-of-force—and strengthen employee wellness resources.[ ]
DOJ’s previous oversight work includes ending monitoring duties over San Francisco PD after successful reforms were achieved there as well as securing settlements mandating changes at Vallejo PD.[ ][Further pattern-or-practice investigations continue at police departments in Antioch,[ ]Riverside County,[ ][and Santa Clara County.]]
Full documentation related[ ]to this agreement—including findings,[ ]recommendations[,][and responses—is available online.
